The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1887-08-04

them IN the section mentioned. 1t
is, however, as refreshing and graf
flying as it is hard to understand.
What an interest now is mani
tested in melon-growing. What an
industry it has become. What life
and animation it throws into busi-
ness circles at this otherwise dull
season of the year. For the last
three weeks this town and those
above US and below on the railroad
have exhibited a scene of life and
activity that is not equalled, in some
respects, in the busy cotton months.
Buyers and solicitors for commission
houses from all parts of the North,
East and Northwest have filled up
our towns and 60 from place to
place by every train, and actively
compete with each other in their en-.
deavors to secure as many carloads
as possible. The telegraph operator
is kept busy sending and receiving
dispatches as to the state of the
market from all points. The South
Carolina Railway is kept busy NOV
ing the crop. Buying and selling is
active every afternoon when the
cars, which have been loaded all
along the line, have been massed
here. The farmers. merchants and
buyers from abroad are all alike
filled with the desire Of big profits
and a fragment of the spirit of Wall
street seems to have been turned
loose here. The result this season
has been greatly beneficial to our
section. The planters have realized
good prices, and all who have
handled the crop are satisfied with
the profits realized. The crop is
easily made, rapidly marketed, and
the universal verdict is that the
profits far exceed, per acre the best
cotton crop.
But the beauty of 1t is that it does
not interfere with the cotton crop in
any way. It is so easily made that
the cotton crop need not be decreased
to any great extent. 1t is marketed
at a time when planters have little
else to do, and brings cash into cir
culation at time money is greatly
needed Some of the small farmers
tell me that they have already
in pocket as much money as their
cotton crop will realize, at one fifth
Of the cost, and at the same time ex'
pect to make as much cotton as they
usually make. 1t is safe to say that
the water melon industry has passed
the exprimental stage in this section.
It did not prove near 80 remunera
tive at first, owning to the fact that
the movement was new and oul
planters inexperienced and did moi
understand how to market the CROP
to the best advantage, and conse
quently glutted some markets while
others went unsupplied. The ar
rangements for freights had not beer
systematized and in many instances
consigners were swindled by un
scrupulous parties, who sold melon:
in many of the markets. But these
matters have all been overcome enc
this seasons crop has been vel
handled and prices have been yer.
satisfactory all the time. It is esti
mated that the Drop of this season
which has now been mostly mar
keted, will put at least fifty Thousand
dollars in the pockets of our peopl
in this section of our county.
But while the money realized from
melon-growing is very gratifying il
itself, yet the result of the expert
ment is much more far-reaching. Tn,
most encouraging feature connected
with it is that our farmers hav
made a break from exclusive cottol
planting as a money crop. Othe
agricultural experiments are nov
sure to be made which will lead to
development of the wonderful am
untold agricultural resources of ou
State. With soil, climate and ever,
natural advantage for successful ag
riculture there is absolutely no res
son why our State should not be th
garden spot of our great country